KUALA TERENGGANU: Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz has described Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks that he would only stop criticising the Government if it resumed the crooked bridge project as tantamount to political blackmail.

“We can’t reverse the decision just like that. Before we made whatever decision, we had given much thought to it and taken the interests of the people into consideration.

“How can we change the decision because of one person?” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department told reporters here yesterday.

Nazri said Dr Mahathir’s statement was merely an excuse for him to continue criticising the Government.

“Never mind. For me, he can go ahead. But don’t let other people tell us not to reply, like Umno Youth exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

“I don’t understand, he said don’t raise issues about his father at the Umno general assembly, but if his father continues to level criticisms, we have to continue replying.

“If we feel he has the right, the public and Umno members must understand I also have the right to answer,” he said.

Nazri described the different views given by Umno leaders over the issue as reflecting disagreement within Umno.

He singled out Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin for misinterpreting his statement.

“I didn’t say that Tun Dr Mahathir wanted to wrest control of power. I just said that I had information that Tun wanted Pak Lah’s downfall.

“How can Tun say that what he did will not split the party? If the ministers themselves make conflicting remarks, what does it mean?” he asked.

Asked on ways to settle the situation, Nazri said: “Ask Tun if he loves the party. What he has done can split the party.” –Bernama